Due West, SC- Erskine women’s basketball coasted by Conference Carolinas foe Converse College Monday evening in Belk Arena 75-63.  The Fleet gained control early and used their first half advantage to keep the Valkyries at bay during the second period.  With the win, Erskine returns to the five-hundred mark at 6-6 overall while Converse slides to 1-12.

Erskine shot well during the first half of play hitting 13/32 from the field including 4/9 from three-point land and hit 12/14 from the charity stripe.  The Fleet kept picking up momentum over the Valkyries and built a 42-28 leading into the break.

Despite a quick 8-2 run, resulting in the Fleet’s largest lead of the game (50-30), Erskine’s offense slowed down during the second period as they only hit 11/38 from field goal range and 4/13 from behind the arc.  Converse picked up the tempo and outpaced Erskine 35-33 during the second twenty minutes of play, but it was not enough to overcome the Fleet’s first half advantage.

Erskine doubled Converse’s production from three-point land 24-12, while also hitting for 19 points from the free-throw line to Converse’s 7.  The Fleet defense forced 27 turnovers while only they only forfeited 18 of their own.  Converse held the slight 50-47 rebounding advantage.

Erskine had three ladies in double figures.  Audrey Timmerman led all Fleet scorers with 19 points off 6/11 three-pointers paired with one free throw.  Point guard Porsha Morgan added 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists to the winning effort while Elizabeth Tatum put up 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for a huge double-double for the Fleet.

Converse’s Ashley Arff led all scorers with 24 points.  Arff also gathered 13 rebounds for a strong double-double on the evening.  Alaina Smith was the only other Converse player to reach double digits.  Smith put up 10 points and pulled down 6 rebounds of her own.

The Fleet will return to action this Thursday as they take on conference rival Anderson University on the road.  Tip off is set for 5:30 PM.